National Archaeological Museum of Taranto-Marta — Attraction in Taranto

Magnificent museum with a wealth of findings from local excavations (particularly from the Greek necropolis of Taras) as well as a very informative exposition about the early mycenian and greek settlements in the area, the Roman annexation of Taras, reaching up to the medieval era. The findings are presented in two floors. One should follow the map provided by the friendly employees at the entrance to see the exposition in chronological order.

The absolute highlights here are the extensive and very well-preserved pottery collection, the tomb of the pentathlon athlete, as well as the intricate handcrafted jewelry that has been unearthed. Other interesting findings include some Roman era mosaics and written laws, as well as large coin hoards from various eras. Additionally, the museum currently holds a temporary exhibition about Penelope and the Odyssey in a broader historical and art context.

About the museum itself, it is wheelchair accessible and the ticket for one adult costs 10 Euros (in my opinion, well worth the price). Descriptions are available in Italian and English, and there is the option of an audio tour. There are clean bathrooms on every floor. For a complete visit of all exhibits, estimate 2-3 hours in total.

All in all, a must-see in Taranto for history and archeology enthusiasts as well as for anyone seeking to understand the many-layered history of this ancient city!...

I have no idea why we were allowed in, since it was made clear to us as we went round that we were NOT welcome with our 2 year old and 5 year old children. We were stalked by unfriendly staff the entire visit, glaring at us everywhere we went. Not a single smile or friendly word from anyone, just cold stares and admonishments. We were told off for drinking from a bottle of water (seriously?!) told off when one child momentarily sat down on the floor to rest whilst we were reading a placard and told off again for speaking to one another too loudly. I do have to wonder who we could possibly have disturbed, since we were the only visitors there. I would have understood the close policing if the children were behaving badly, or were left unsupervised, but that simply wasn’t the case. We were with them and watching them all the time and we didn’t allow them to touch anything. We were simply trying to enjoy the exhibits but never felt we could relax. In the end we just left because we felt so uncomfortable. All in all, a thoroughly...

The collection is superb, the pieces are effectively displayed and placed. The staff is extremely helpful and kind. But this is just a normal, old style museum. I am giving three stars because the museum does not offer the services that are listed in the webpage and because it is not as innovative as the museum presents itself. No hands-on activities, no interactive stations, no material for kids/youth; the museum does not offer a cafeteria either, not to mention a book store. A couple of apps are offered, but what is the point of looking at a piece on a screen, when it is just in front of you? I really think the director should consider introducing something to spark kids' interest: a treasure hunt, a crosswords, a few manipulative, check out the archaeological museum in Leiden, not a big expense really.

Another problem is the parking. The webpage does not give directions and tips about parking and parking in Taranto can be a very frustrating experience. A few parking suggestions should be included in...